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(06-26-2018 02:42 PM)Not Duane Wrote:  

(06-26-2018 12:27 PM)Def Berkkat Wrote:  Just two more years, mom! Two more years and then I'll move out and get my own place. I swear!

Don't let the wad of bills I'm handing you impede you as you leave.

Good Lord..

This is a [b][b]huge windfall [/b][/b]for the UC AD.

Shut up and take the $$ and the improvements.

TAKE THAT P5 AND YOUR MEASLEY TV MONEY !!!

FCC is evidently also going to spend $30 million on their training facility/offices in Milford.

http://www.wlwt.com/article/fc-cincinnat...d/21950678

(06-26-2018 02:39 PM)Not Duane Wrote:  

(06-26-2018 02:32 PM)JackieTreehorn Wrote:  

(06-26-2018 10:16 AM)Bearcat2012 Wrote:  http://amp.wcpo.com/2628406204/fc-cincin...ready.html

FC Cincinnati proposes more significant changes at Nippert Stadium until its own stadium is ready
New turf, LED boards, revamped locker room
By Laurel Pfahler | WCPO contributor | Updated June 26, 2018, 8:10 a.m. EDT

CINCINNATI -- FC Cincinnati officials are still having conversations with the University of Cincinnati about what improvements are needed to make Nippert Stadium ready for Major League Soccer, but the discussions apparently advanced enough to satisfy the league before awarding Cincinnati an expansion bid last month.

The club, in a series of changes already completed, spent more than $2 million to widen the field last year to meet FIFA standards, and this year FCC purchased digital sponsorship boards, which now back the eastern sideline on game days.

More significant changes are on the way for FCC's two-year extended stay at Nippert as an MLS franchise. The club will be building a soccer-specific stadium in the West End, but it is not expected to be ready until 2021, so FCC will play its first two MLS seasons at Nippert.

"We obviously have a great relationship with the University of Cincinnati, and we're going through the process of working with them now," FCC president and general manager Jeff Berding said. "Everything is going to be on our nickel, and these are improvements they can benefit from too. … In our conversations with our partners at the University of Cincinnati, the sense is the changes are changes that will be good for the University of Cincinnati."

Berding said some of the issues the club is looking at -- based on recommendations or requirements from MLS -- include new turf, changing the current players' lounge under the east side of the Bailey into a visitors' locker room, enhanced technology in the scoreboard rooms and expanding the LED sponsorship boards along the endlines.

With help from the university, FCC already rewired and moved one of its broadcast cameras down to the main concourse to meet MLS' preference for lower camera angles, and the other improvements completed the past two years were done with a move to MLS in mind.

Team owner Carl Lindner III donated money to help UC pay for a new video board, which was installed late last summer and is four times larger than the previous one, and the sound system was upgraded and a distributed antenna system put in place for better cell phone coverage around the stadium.

According to the university, in response to a public records request, there are currently no bids or RFPs for changes to the stadium or playing field and no contracts have been changed or updated in the last seven months since FCC made its pitch to the MLS expansion board back in December.

"We are excited to host FC Cincinnati as they bring Major League Soccer to Nippert Stadium," UC director of athletics Mike Bohn said. "The University has been a founding partner with the club since Day 1, and we have enjoyed being a part of their meteoric rise over the past three years.

"We are proud to have worked with FCC on a number of stadium initiatives, which has enhanced the game day experience for our collective fan base. We are early in the process of collaborating with the club on potential improvements for the 2019 season and will announce details as they are finalized and approved."

Any major changes, such as the locker room renovations (including installing showers) and new turf, would need to be done after the UC football season; however, it's a short window until the MLS season begins in March.

Berding declined to comment on the estimated cost for the improvements, but MLS commissioner Don Garber said last month that FCC promised to make significant investments into preparing the facility to MLS standards.

"They've got a stadium they're going to work with us on as part of their expansion bid -- renovations and other investments they'll make in the stadium to make it what we call MLS-ready," Garber said. "Some of that is technology-related, some of that is lighting and some of it is other investments they need to make, but it was a significant financial investment they had to make to ensure that facility will be ready for MLS next season."[/i]

...

That place that's the current FCC players lounge that they want to convert to a visitors locker room used to be a medical treatment room for football where the players would get IVs, initial evaluation, and minor treatment just before and during the games. Now it's locked up on our game day and full of couches for the soccer boys so our guys have to walk up and down the steps to the main training room to get treatment. Thanks FCC.

Oh horrors....they'll load them on a cart and drive them to the appropriate facility for treatment...note that PT facilities are right next to the stadium for Chrissakes--that's where I rehabbed my knee. Staffed by professionals. I also got my MRI there.

Step back from the ledge.

Wow, you can drive a cart up the stairs to the training room in Lindner center? Who knew? Sounds like you're unaware of the difference, but we're talking in-game medical treatment, not physical therapy and rehab. It means what was a convenient place for things like a quick IV, etc...is now not as convenient and keeps a player off the field and out of the game longer.

(06-26-2018 03:50 PM)JackieTreehorn Wrote:  

(06-26-2018 02:39 PM)Not Duane Wrote:  

(06-26-2018 02:32 PM)JackieTreehorn Wrote:  

(06-26-2018 10:16 AM)Bearcat2012 Wrote:  http://amp.wcpo.com/2628406204/fc-cincin...ready.html

FC Cincinnati proposes more significant changes at Nippert Stadium until its own stadium is ready
New turf, LED boards, revamped locker room
By Laurel Pfahler | WCPO contributor | Updated June 26, 2018, 8:10 a.m. EDT

CINCINNATI -- FC Cincinnati officials are still having conversations with the University of Cincinnati about what improvements are needed to make Nippert Stadium ready for Major League Soccer, but the discussions apparently advanced enough to satisfy the league before awarding Cincinnati an expansion bid last month.

The club, in a series of changes already completed, spent more than $2 million to widen the field last year to meet FIFA standards, and this year FCC purchased digital sponsorship boards, which now back the eastern sideline on game days.

More significant changes are on the way for FCC's two-year extended stay at Nippert as an MLS franchise. The club will be building a soccer-specific stadium in the West End, but it is not expected to be ready until 2021, so FCC will play its first two MLS seasons at Nippert.

"We obviously have a great relationship with the University of Cincinnati, and we're going through the process of working with them now," FCC president and general manager Jeff Berding said. "Everything is going to be on our nickel, and these are improvements they can benefit from too. … In our conversations with our partners at the University of Cincinnati, the sense is the changes are changes that will be good for the University of Cincinnati."

Berding said some of the issues the club is looking at -- based on recommendations or requirements from MLS -- include new turf, changing the current players' lounge under the east side of the Bailey into a visitors' locker room, enhanced technology in the scoreboard rooms and expanding the LED sponsorship boards along the endlines.

With help from the university, FCC already rewired and moved one of its broadcast cameras down to the main concourse to meet MLS' preference for lower camera angles, and the other improvements completed the past two years were done with a move to MLS in mind.

Team owner Carl Lindner III donated money to help UC pay for a new video board, which was installed late last summer and is four times larger than the previous one, and the sound system was upgraded and a distributed antenna system put in place for better cell phone coverage around the stadium.

According to the university, in response to a public records request, there are currently no bids or RFPs for changes to the stadium or playing field and no contracts have been changed or updated in the last seven months since FCC made its pitch to the MLS expansion board back in December.

"We are excited to host FC Cincinnati as they bring Major League Soccer to Nippert Stadium," UC director of athletics Mike Bohn said. "The University has been a founding partner with the club since Day 1, and we have enjoyed being a part of their meteoric rise over the past three years.

"We are proud to have worked with FCC on a number of stadium initiatives, which has enhanced the game day experience for our collective fan base. We are early in the process of collaborating with the club on potential improvements for the 2019 season and will announce details as they are finalized and approved."

Any major changes, such as the locker room renovations (including installing showers) and new turf, would need to be done after the UC football season; however, it's a short window until the MLS season begins in March.

Berding declined to comment on the estimated cost for the improvements, but MLS commissioner Don Garber said last month that FCC promised to make significant investments into preparing the facility to MLS standards.

"They've got a stadium they're going to work with us on as part of their expansion bid -- renovations and other investments they'll make in the stadium to make it what we call MLS-ready," Garber said. "Some of that is technology-related, some of that is lighting and some of it is other investments they need to make, but it was a significant financial investment they had to make to ensure that facility will be ready for MLS next season."[/i]

...

That place that's the current FCC players lounge that they want to convert to a visitors locker room used to be a medical treatment room for football where the players would get IVs, initial evaluation, and minor treatment just before and during the games. Now it's locked up on our game day and full of couches for the soccer boys so our guys have to walk up and down the steps to the main training room to get treatment. Thanks FCC.

Oh horrors....they'll load them on a cart and drive them to the appropriate facility for treatment...note that PT facilities are right next to the stadium for Chrissakes--that's where I rehabbed my knee. Staffed by professionals. I also got my MRI there.

Step back from the ledge.

Wow, you can drive a cart up the stairs to the training room in Lindner center? Who knew? Sounds like you're unaware of the difference, but we're talking in-game medical treatment, not physical therapy and rehab. It means what was a convenient place for things like a quick IV, etc...is now not as convenient and keeps a player off the field and out of the game longer.

Think for a minute...if a player breaks a leg, they have to have a way to wheel him over to a facility near the field for an x-ray. That capability is already there. Setting up that space for IV's and other "in-game" treatment won't be that big of a stretch.

To go further...who is to say that the remodeled space can't also be used for such treatment. If you design the space properly it can serve both functions...unless you've seen blueprints that I haven't.

Total overreaction.

In for a penny, in for a pound...

I don't have a problem with any of it.

So, for those keeping score:

Net positives of FCC:
New sound system
Locker room renovations
New turf, basic renovations for Nippert
Increased exposure, drawing thousands of young families to campus who would have otherwise never visited
A professional sports franchise beginning their league play in historic Nipper stadium.

FCC negatives:
-Notches
-Sometimes the turf doesn't have football lines

This has, truly, been horrible for us.

(06-26-2018 10:16 PM)Cataclysmo Wrote:  So, for those keeping score:

Net positives of FCC:
New sound system
Locker room renovations
New turf, basic renovations for Nippert
Increased exposure, drawing thousands of young families to campus who would have otherwise never visited
A professional sports franchise beginning their league play in historic Nipper stadium.

FCC negatives:
-Notches
-Sometimes the turf doesn't have football lines

This has, truly, been horrible for us.

You somehow forgot "basement dwelling, millennial snowflakes" sitting in our big donor seats under the negatives.

(06-26-2018 04:11 PM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  In for a penny, in for a pound..

Which is about $1.30. I think they'd be better paying pounds (£) for the work, which would be appropriate for a soccer team.

Kidding aside, I don't think any work will be done that will hinder the ability of a football player (the primary and long term tenant of Nippert) to get treatment. Plans will be in place. Bohn, and the university, have a voice and will work with FCC on this and, I get the impression that, FCC is being a partner too. No problem with additional improvements to the Nip. I'm excited to see more technology and new stuff in the stadium.

I'm good with all of the changes so far - as well as the proposed ones, although I'd like specific information - but with one caveat: Fickell and team need to be on board as well.

Maybe Luke isn't our savior yet, but based on the recruiting, attitude, and energy, I like his chances. And because of that, I don't want him to feel alienated or compromised with what he's building here. I don't get the sense he's upset at all, so as long as he's involved in these discussions and decisions, I think UC will be improved in the long term.

The last thing I want to see is a post-mortem Luke Fickell article reminiscent of Butch Jones having to change toilet paper in the restrooms. (And, yes, I realize his camp floated that to the media. Hopefully you get my point)

(06-27-2018 07:19 AM)JPBearcat3 Wrote:  I'm good with all of the changes so far - as well as the proposed ones, although I'd like specific information - but with one caveat: Fickell and team need to be on board as well.

Maybe Luke isn't our savior yet, but based on the recruiting, attitude, and energy, I like his chances. And because of that, I don't want him to feel alienated or compromised with what he's building here. I don't get the sense he's upset at all, so as long as he's involved in these discussions and decisions, I think UC will be improved in the long term.

The last thing I want to see is a post-mortem Luke Fickell article reminiscent of Butch Jones having to change toilet paper in the restrooms. (And, yes, I realize his camp floated that to the media. Hopefully you get my point)

Totally agree. It is Bohn's job to make sure Fickell has everything he needs to compete on the field and in recruiting. I get the impression those two work well together and I'm sure is at least being briefed on the discussions with FCC and is giving his 2 pence.

I think the origin of the FCC ill will was that if we weren't stuck slummin' in the G5, we wouldn't have had to even consider this whole sideshow.

But as it is, we have been reduced to saying "well... they say they'll buy us a new video board."

What would O$U say if the Crew approached them about crashing in their stadium for a couple of seasons until they got their own place? O$U has the money for a new video board in their car ashtray. They wouldn't even let the Crew step on campus.

(06-27-2018 07:51 AM)Def Berkkat Wrote:  I think the origin of the FCC ill will was that if we weren't stuck slummin' in the G5, we wouldn't have had to even consider this whole sideshow.

But as it is, we have been reduced to saying "well... they say they'll buy us a new video board."

What would O$U say if the Crew approached them about crashing in their stadium for a couple of seasons until they got their own place? O$U has the money for a new video board in their car ashtray. They wouldn't even let the Crew step on campus.

Seeing as the Crew played it's home games from 1996 through 1998 at Ohio Stadium I think this is about as false an assumption as one can make. Even if UC was in a major conference this would be a good deal for the University. Partnering with a professional sports franchise that can generate a ton of interest around campus is not a bad things. Hell there are even multiple professional franchises that partner with their local MLS teams.

(06-27-2018 08:01 AM)bearcatmark Wrote:  

(06-27-2018 07:51 AM)Def Berkkat Wrote:  I think the origin of the FCC ill will was that if we weren't stuck slummin' in the G5, we wouldn't have had to even consider this whole sideshow.

But as it is, we have been reduced to saying "well... they say they'll buy us a new video board."

What would O$U say if the Crew approached them about crashing in their stadium for a couple of seasons until they got their own place? O$U has the money for a new video board in their car ashtray. They wouldn't even let the Crew step on campus.

Seeing as the Crew played it's home games from 1996 through 1998 at Ohio Stadium I think this is about as false an assumption as one can make. Even if UC was in a major conference this would be a good deal for the University. Partnering with a professional sports franchise that can generate a ton of interest around campus is not a bad things. Hell there are even multiple professional franchises that partner with their local MLS teams.

OK, since context means nothing to some, I'll rephrase...

2018 Crew: We need to play in your stadium... and we're going to need to make some alterations.

2018 O$U: %#$@ off.

(06-27-2018 08:13 AM)Def Berkkat Wrote:  

(06-27-2018 08:01 AM)bearcatmark Wrote:  

(06-27-2018 07:51 AM)Def Berkkat Wrote:  I think the origin of the FCC ill will was that if we weren't stuck slummin' in the G5, we wouldn't have had to even consider this whole sideshow.

But as it is, we have been reduced to saying "well... they say they'll buy us a new video board."

What would O$U say if the Crew approached them about crashing in their stadium for a couple of seasons until they got their own place? O$U has the money for a new video board in their car ashtray. They wouldn't even let the Crew step on campus.

Seeing as the Crew played it's home games from 1996 through 1998 at Ohio Stadium I think this is about as false an assumption as one can make. Even if UC was in a major conference this would be a good deal for the University. Partnering with a professional sports franchise that can generate a ton of interest around campus is not a bad things. Hell there are even multiple professional franchises that partner with their local MLS teams.

OK, since context means nothing to some, I'll rephrase...

2018 Crew: We need to play in your stadium... and we're going to need to make some alterations.

2018 O$U: %#$@ off.

The bolded is what you asked... And my answer is that exact scenario actually happened. Every situation is obviously different and what it would take to get a deal worked out that benefited both the University and the professional franchise would obviously be different , but to act like UC didn't work to get a deal that benefited them is just wrong. And to pretend other Universities wouldn't be willing to do the same is ignorant of past history.

As long as Bohn and Fickell are on board, and Bohn is in control of the situation (but I get the feeling he isn't and FCC is) then it will be ok.

It won't be ok if UC football has to bend over backwards for FCC with regards to practice time or anything else that would adversely affect UC football.

However - it is hopefully just two more years of sharing the stadium with FCC until they get their own place. It's a blip on the radar screen.

(06-27-2018 08:18 AM)bearcatmark Wrote:  

(06-27-2018 08:13 AM)Def Berkkat Wrote:  

(06-27-2018 08:01 AM)bearcatmark Wrote:  

(06-27-2018 07:51 AM)Def Berkkat Wrote:  I think the origin of the FCC ill will was that if we weren't stuck slummin' in the G5, we wouldn't have had to even consider this whole sideshow.

But as it is, we have been reduced to saying "well... they say they'll buy us a new video board."

What would O$U say if the Crew approached them about crashing in their stadium for a couple of seasons until they got their own place? O$U has the money for a new video board in their car ashtray. They wouldn't even let the Crew step on campus.

Seeing as the Crew played it's home games from 1996 through 1998 at Ohio Stadium I think this is about as false an assumption as one can make. Even if UC was in a major conference this would be a good deal for the University. Partnering with a professional sports franchise that can generate a ton of interest around campus is not a bad things. Hell there are even multiple professional franchises that partner with their local MLS teams.

OK, since context means nothing to some, I'll rephrase...

2018 Crew: We need to play in your stadium... and we're going to need to make some alterations.

2018 O$U: %#$@ off.

The bolded is what you asked... And my answer is that exact scenario actually happened. Every situation is obviously different and what it would take to get a deal worked out that benefited both the University and the professional franchise would obviously be different , but to act like UC didn't work to get a deal that benefited them is just wrong. And to pretend other Universities wouldn't be willing to do the same is ignorant of past history.

UC's in the ACC making $20-30M a year in P5 TV money.

Do they do this deal? Yes or no.

Yes. They do

Yes - they do the deal and this is one reason why.

http://business.uc.edu/new-building.html

(06-26-2018 12:27 PM)Def Berkkat Wrote:  Just two more years, mom! Two more years and then I'll move out and get my own place. I swear!

You forgot "But I will still need an allowance since my Starbucks part time job does not pay enough"

(06-26-2018 12:51 PM)Ragpicker Wrote:  From the office of mismanagement at One Varsity Village Way...

UC Football Bearcats will wear Orange and Blue for all home games. The Cpaw will be eliminated the next two seasons for a winged lion representing St. Mark the Evangelist. The soccer ball will remain on the logo because the Big East money is now gone and new logos are expensive. In keeping with the Catholic community and the benevolent St. Mark, communion will be offered at halftime - sponsored by Klosterman bakery.

During halftime, and to be tolerant of all lifestyles, the Shriners will take their motorcycles and little cars over the jumps left behind from the Nitro Circus. Friday night games will offer Shabbat. UC staff will do their best not to mix up the ceremonial wines.

You forgot "No food will be served until after sundown during Ramadan"